Ryan Bader Loves Nothing More Than Proving Doubters Wrong

It’s hard to remember just over a year ago when former Ultimate Fighter winner Ryan Bader was collapsing under the weight of two losses in a row in the UFC.

Following a submission loss to Jon Jones in early 2011, Bader looked to bounce back with what most assumed would be an automatic victory over future UFC Hall of Famer Tito Ortiz. Things didn’t go so well for Bader that night, however. He suffered his second straight submission defeat and it was back to the drawing board.

A change in philosophy in training as well as a new gym and head coach brought Bader back from the brink. Following a quick knockout of Jason Brilz, he then put on a dominant performance over former light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.

After two losses in a row, a lot of fighters would want to build themselves back up again, taking it slow and easy and then jumping back into the deep end of the divisional pool following some confidence gaining wins.

Bader wanted none of that.

The former Arizona State All-American wrestler wanted to face nothing but top competition. So after beating Jackson in February, he was more than happy when the call came in for a fight against Lyoto Machida at UFC on Fox 4.

“Why go backwards? I beat a guy who just fought for the title, then stepping up and fighting arguably a top three guy that just recently fought for the 205-pound belt. I’m knocking off these guys, I’m right there for a title shot. Those guys just fought for it,” Bader told MMAWeekly Radio.

“I come out and have two impressive wins in a row against top five opponents, that’s saying something.”

It’s not been an easy road for Bader, who over the last few years has bounced from a previous camp to opening his own gym along with close friends Aaron Simpson and C.B. Dollaway to finally hiring a head coach to steer the ship.

Now with the course set and true direction at the helm, Bader, along with his teammates, feel like they are finally on the path to true success.

“I feel like we’re in the right place. We have the right blueprint now. We know what we’ve got to do. All the guesswork’s out. We know what it takes,” said Bader.

When Bader and his friends were running the gym on their own, they had plenty of MMA know-how, and lots of experience in high-level competitions. The sparring sessions and training was always intense and they never lacked passion when it came to the workouts.

The problem was they were mostly just going through the motions, working out hard, and going through drills to get ready for fights. Now with head coach Tom Vaughn leading the way, Bader is working on specifics to face a fighter like his upcoming opponent Lyoto Machida, instead of just training hard and hoping for the best possible outcome.

“Going with Machida in the past I would have just been sparring with whoever, and my game plan would be like maybe take him down or something like that,” Bader revealed.

“Now the coaching staff, Tom Vaughn and the guys found sparring partners that totally emulate Machida. We brought guys out from Vegas, brought guys out from around the valley and different parts of the country. I’ve seen Machida’s style hundreds of times in the training camp and in the cage in the gym, so I’m not going to be surprised by it.”

Lyoto Machida is still a puzzle to figure out by most standards in the UFC light heavyweight division. A former champion, Machida’s karate style confused many when he first entered the Octagon and while the Brazilian has suffered a few defeats since that time, his elusiveness, footwork and speed still remain a constant thorn in the side of opponents.

Machida is still looked upon as one of the top light heavyweights in the sport, which is why he’s coming in as a heavy favorite over Bader by most oddsmakers.

Consider Ryan Bader one of the people most pleased by seeing those prognostications.

“I absolutely love it, coming in here and people doubting me and not expecting me to do much, or not expecting me to win. I love to go in there and show I’m evolved in every fight, surprise people and at the end of the fight have people go, ‘Wow, I did not think that was going to happen at all. I really underestimated him,'” said Bader.

“I love playing that role. There’s nowhere to go but up when you’re that big of an underdog. It just gives you that much more motivation to go in there and prove everybody wrong.”

Bader hopes to prove everybody wrong and beat Lyoto Machida at UFC on Fox 4 next Saturday night, and then possibly stake his claim as the No. 1 contender in the light heavyweight division.

You love to prove doubters wrong huh? Is that why you lost to Tito? Because I was sure doubting him to knock you out like that.

Your biggest challenge to date has been Rampage. So let’s see how well you do against a dude that beat (controversially lost) Rampage and Rashad.

My prediction is the following. Ryan Bader will lose to Machida. He will then talk about how he is going back to the drawing board again and how he will come back stronger than ever.

Ryan Bader will go on to fight no named dudes like Keith Jardine and Jason Brilz. After beating up the tomato cans of the UFC, you will ask for a title shot.

jonnypatrick

Since you know so much Lesnardo, why don’t you know that Bader lost by a submission(guillotine) to Tito? I would at least get my facts together before you start dogging fighters. I doubt he will beat Machida, but he does have a chance to grind out the “W” with his wrestling.

Lesnardo

I never said he lost via KO. I said he was knocked out.

jonnypatrick

Wow, did you even read your reply? “I never said he lost via KO. I said he was knocked out” He was submitted, he tapped he wasn’t choked out by Tito. Last time I checked being “knocked out” is a KO

Lesnardo

he was knocked down and was particially unconscious before he was submitted.

Quit being a douche.

mrsister

Ryan super pumped to get his 10k for this fight. If he wins, he gets another 10k. He’s super pumped for the opportunity. Life changing.

MaritalArtist

Bader ain’t no joke. If he gets the title shot, it’s because of all the hard work Ed put in. Don’t let these knuckleheads cloud your judgment with silly comments. He’s a world-class wrestling mma guy.

MaritalArtist

*with all the hard work he put in

matty

Did you see his house on the fox special? He is making some cash somewhere. Although I think his chances of beating Machida are slim.

Lesnardo

He has his own gym.

adam1848

No one can emulate Machida’s style. That’s why he wins so often. I really like Bader and wish him all the best, but if he thinks he has Machida’s number just because his new coach brought in a few strikers with good footwork he is for a rude awakening. I’m not saying he has no chance. Anyone who counts out an athlete of Bader’s caliber in any fight could be in for a shock. But I’ve never seen anything out of him that makes me think he has more than a punchers chance. No way will he be able to hold Lyoto down the way he did to Page, and Machida eats big, athletic guys for breakfast. I imagine this fight will go the distance with Bader’s face looking like hamburger at the conclusion and Lyoto hardly breaking a sweat. Would rather see this be 5 rounds considering Vera is most likely getting finished in the 1st.

ryanstewart

So I get the feeling Bader is a under dog here too? I can’t help but like the guy. I think he’s a heavy hitter,(he needs to be able to actually punch Machida).. His ground work is good, could use some brush up. But I think all in all this might be a lot better fight than any of you might think. I guess we will see on Saturday.